A Minnesota Twins official confirmed in July that Halladay would not approve a deal to the Twin-Cities and Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan said in September he was told Halladay would block a deal to Arlington, Tex.

Halladay has never said yeah or nay to the Yanks and still hasn’t, but this third party news clears the decks for Halladay to follow the path of Cone and Clemens.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos has said he was not against trading a player within the American League East — if it was the best deal. And the Jays are said to have told teams they will grant a 72-hour window to allow them to work out a multi-year extension for Halladay.

The Boston Red Sox are also in the Halladay hunt.

The Los Angeles Angels may be, too, as they were in July. Will Halladay give up seven weeks at home in Oldsmar, Fla., to train in Arizona? That remains an unknown.

The Philadelphia Phillies, leaders in July before acquiring Cliff Lee, don’t appear to have the same room to add salary.

As in July, Halladay is driving the bus. So don’t pay any attention to headlines like July 30: “Marlins in the mix for Halladay.”

As if Halladay, 32, who wants to pitch for a contender, pitch in the World Series and can pick a destination, would select the Florida Marlins.

Clemens was dealt by GM Gord Ash in the spring of 1999, after back-to-back Cy Young Award winning seasons, for David Wells, Homer Bush and Graeme Lloyd. Clemens had a secret clause in his contract — which both president Paul Beeston and the Jays were fined for giving — allowing him to demand a trade at the end of any year. Two years into his three-year deal he asked out.

Clemens was part of the Yanks’ 1999-2000 Word Series winners.

Cone was traded July 28, 1995, by Ash for minor leaguers Marty Janzen, Mike Gordon and Jason Jarvis. The Jays owned a 36-47 record and sat last, 101/2 games out. The Yanks won the wild-card and lost the division series to the Seattle Mariners.

Cone earned Series wins in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

At the time Cone was moved there were other suitors.

Three weeks before Cone was dealt, a Jays scout was asked where Cone would wind up.